This Weekend's Wondrich-Approved NBA Cocktail

There are few situations more suited to a cocktail than the climax of a basketball championship (the least beer-soaked of major American sporting events), and few better places to enjoy it than Miami. So as the NBA Finals move down to South Florida, we'd like to take a moment to endorse a drink, for the winner and for the loser. A real drink. Because, hey, you're on the beach. And games this close are bound to jangle the nerves.

Since we're not too well-versed in Texas-original libations, we asked drinks correspondent David Wondrich for something unique to Miami's liquor history. It's not a mojito, and it's not particularly well-known — in fact, it doesn't really have a name at all — but it is very old: Wondrich found it in a 1934 book and guesses it dates back to the '20s or '30s, when Miami history in general looked a little murkier. Luckily, he hung onto the recipe. It also happens to be really simple: just three common bar ingredients. You could even make it in Dallas.

The 2011 NBA Finals Cocktail

By David Wondrich

1 1/2 oz good white rum

3/4 oz Cointreau

Scant 3/4 oz fresh lemon juice

Strain into chilled cocktail glass, dribble twice, and send in off the backboard.